Liam Payne's Ex Cheryl Named Administrator of His $32.2 Million Estate After He Died with No Will

Cheryl, the former Girls Aloud singer and ex-partner of late pop star Liam Payne, has been named as one of the administrators of Payne’s multimillion-dollar estate following his sudden death in October 2024. The singer, who rose to fame as a member of the worldwide boy band One Direction, tragically fell from a hotel balcony while staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31. His fans were devastated, as were his family and closest friends, particularly his ex-partner Cheryl and their young son, Bear. His untimely death left them devastated as well.

According to newly released court documents filed in the U.K., Cheryl was officially appointed on May 1, 2025, as a joint administrator of Liam Payne’s estate. She and attorney Richard Mark Bray will share this role. The estate is estimated to be worth £25.2 million, or approximately $32.2 million USD.

The legal appointment was necessary due to the absence of a will. This is a case of intestacy under UK law because Payne did not leave any formal instructions about how to divide his wealth. In such situations, the estate typically passes to the deceased's next of kin—in this case, his 8-year-old son, Bear, who he shared with Cheryl. Since Bear is a minor, Cheryl's role as administrator becomes crucial in safeguarding and managing those assets on her son’s behalf.

Cheryl and Bray currently have limited authority over the estate. They are authorized to supervise its administration and ensure compliance with legal procedures, but they are unable to distribute its contents until the probate process is completed. Before full control and asset distribution can take place, the legal process may take several more months.

In the wake of Liam’s death, Cheryl issued an emotional public statement, expressing both sorrow and frustration. Describing Payne’s passing as an “earth-shattering event,” she emphasized the enormous impact on their son, who now faces life without his father. She also spoke out against the way the media handled news of Liam’s death, denouncing what she called "abhorrent reports and media exploitation" in the days following the tragedy. Cheryl urged the public and the press to allow the family to grieve in peace and to treat Payne’s memory with dignity and respect.

The response from Payne’s family was equally emotional. His sister, Ruth Gibbins, shared her heartbreak in a social media tribute, writing about the void his death has left in their lives and how difficult it remains to accept that he is truly gone. His most recent partner, influencer Kate Cassidy, also expressed her grief, posting tributes and recalling their time together.

A private funeral service was held for Liam in Buckinghamshire, England. Cheryl, his family, his One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, and X Factor judge Simon Cowell, who initially assisted in the band's career launch, attended the ceremony. The intimate gathering allowed those closest to Payne to honor his life and mourn his passing away from the public eye.

Liam Payne’s legacy spans far beyond his musical achievements. He had a significant impact on the pop music scene in the 2010s and early 2020s as a solo artist and as a member of one of the best-selling boy bands ever. He was also well-known for his charitable work and his deep love for being a father, and he frequently talked about how much he loved Bear in interviews.

As Cheryl and Bray now shoulder the responsibility of managing his estate, their primary goal is to ensure that Bear’s future is secure and that Payne’s legacy is protected. Cheryl's involvement in the probate process demonstrates a personal and legal commitment to preserve Liam's memory and ensure the well-being of their son.